Combined keyboard tape transmitter



March 31, 1942. A, H, REIBER 2,277,715

COMBINED KEYBOARD TAPE TRANSMITTER Filed Nov. 9, 1989 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. l7 ALBERT H. REIBER A ORNEY.

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H w G T 523: N U E Patented Mar. 31, 1942 COMBINED KEYBOARD TAPE TRANSMITTER Albert H. Reiber, Evanston, Ill., assignor to Teletype Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application November 9, 1939, Serial No. 303,518

. drum may thereafter be released for continuous Claims.

This invention relates to telegraph transmitters and more particularly to telegraph transmitters controllable either from a manually operated keyboard or signal control indicia included in a strip.

An object of the invention is the provision of an extg emely simple and very compact apparatus for transmission of telegraph signals either from a keyboard or a control strip.

A feature of the invention is the provision of selectively operative elements controllable either from a keyboard or a control strip for the transmission of code combinations of signal impulses.

The above and other objects and features of the invention are attained by the provision of a transmitting cam drum released cyclically for keyboard transmission and operated continuously for strip or tape transmission for operatingsuccessively a plurality of contact control levers, as determined either by the setting of code bars through the depression of key levers or by elements positioned in accordance with the signal perforations or indicia in the strip or tape, depending upon whether the apparatus is conditioned for keyboard or tape transmission. Conditioning the apparatus for keyboard or tape transmission is established by mechanism having two operative positions. In one of such positions the keyboard is free to be operated and the elements positioned in accordance with a signal perforation or indicia are rendered ineifective, while in the other of its positions, the keyboard is blocked against operation and the specified elements are allowed to assume positions to control the position of contact control levers by the signal perforations or indicia to control effectively the signal impulses transmitted to the line conductor with which the apparatus may be connected.

Specifically, conditioning the apparatus for keyboard or tape operation is controlled by a system of levers. When in one position, operation of the key levers is prevented and when in another position, the elements responsive to the tape perforations are moved free of the contact control levers and the mechanism for advancing the tape step by step is rendered inert. In'addition, for the respective positions, the transmitting cam drum will rotate either intermittently or continuously. When in the keyboard position, tape operation cannot be resumed until the key levers are blocked and the transmitting cam drum stop mechanism is in a position for arresting the transmitting cam drum at the completion of its cycle of rotation. The transmitting cam rotation to efiect transmission of signal impulses, as determined by the signal perforations or indicia in the control strip. Arrestment of the transmitting cam drum when the mechanism is in the tape transmission position may also be effected.

A more detailed understanding of the invention may be obtained from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a partial sectional elevational view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line 3--3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view partly in section of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a view taken substantially on the broken line 5-5 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view showing certain elements in their respective operating positions; and

Fig. '7 is a circuit diagram showing the electrical connections for the apparatus.

According to its preferred embodiment, the apparatus has a cast metal base or frame I2 provided with a front extension l3. Key levers i4 arranged within the upper portion of the base or frame l2 have their rear ends in engagement with a common pivot rod l5 carried by lugs suitably supported by the base or frame [2. The forward ends of the key levers extend through the slots of a comb bar l6 and are upturned to support keys IT. A bail l8 pivoted on the forward extension I3 carries a space bar (not shown). The key levers and the space bar are held in their normal position by suitable springs.

A set of five permutation bars 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 extend transversely below the key levers, the ends of the bars being guided in slots in oppositely disposed brackets I 9 fixed within the base l2 and being supported on antifriction rollers 20. In addition to the permutation bars 22 to 26, inclusive, is a bar 2| which has two alternative positions. In one of such positions the key levers [4 are free to be moved, whereas in its other position movement of the key levers i4 is prevented; that is, bar 2| serves to free or block the movement of key levers [4.

Each permutation bar 22 to 26, inclusive, is free to move longitudinally to either one of two positions and each bar has cam lugs 21 having oppositely inclined faces, one such face being provided on each bar for each of the key levers 4 so that each bar is adapted to be moved to its right-hand position by some of the keys and to its opposite left-hand position by the other keys. Accordingly, the keys act to set the permutation bars 22 to 26, inclusive, in different combinations.

Intermediate the ends of each of the permutation bars 2226 are pins 28 and 29 which are spaced to receive the lower end of a corresponding selecting finger 35. The five selecting fingers 39 extend upwardly through an opening in the base I 2 and are mounted upon a common pivotal support 3| extending between two suitably arranged brackets fastened to base l2. The fingers 39 control a set of switch control bell crank levers 32 mounted upon a horizontal pivot shaft 33 carried by uprights 34 and 35. Each selecting finger 36 has a hooked lug 38 at its upper end which, as the associated permutation bar is shifted, is moved into and out of the position above theend of the horizontal arm of the associated bell crank lever 32. The fingers 3|) and the bell crank levers 32 are held in proper position by spacing washers on the pivot shafts 3| and 33, respectively, and preferably also a guide comb bar 39 is provided for the horizontal arms of the bell crank levers 32, as is shown in Fig. 3.

In addition to the bell crank levers 32 there is a sixth bell crank lever 49 which is not controlled by a selecting finger 30 or one of the permutation bars 22-26, but is, as will be explained later, operated invariably for each cycle of operation of the apparatus for'transmitting a start impulse.

Each bell crank lever 32, which is equally true of bell crank lever 49, has a hook 4| at its upper end which engages the insulated upper end of a spring contact 42 and each of the latter cooperates with a spring contact 43, the pairs of contact springs being mounted upon but insulated from a supporting bar 36 carried by uprights 34 and 35. Each spring contact 42 tends to engage its associated contact spring 43 and also serves to hold a lug (not shown) on the horizontal portion of each of the bell crank levers 32 in engagement with the surface of a cylindrical cam 44, the latter constituting a part of a sleeve or drum 45 and extending over the horizontalarms of the bell crank levers 32 and 40. drum 45 is provided with a helical series of slots which, as the cam sleeve 45 is rotated, successively pass over the lugs (not shown) on the horizontal arm of the bell'crank levers 32 and 49. As the corresponding recess passes over one of the lugs, the associated switch contact spring 42 is allowed to engage its associated contact spring 43 to complete an electrical circuit through the respective contact springs under the control of the corresponding bell crank lever 32.

Cam sleeve 45 is mounted on a shaft 46 which is journaled at its rear end in a bearing mounted in bracket 48 and at its forward end in a bearing mounted in the front-upright 34. Cam sleeve 45 is mounted loosely on shaft 46; that is, shaft 46 may be rotated continuously while cam sleeve 45-is being held againstrotation.

The cam sleeve 45 has secured to it a collar 49,- a portion of which is serrated and normally urged along the shaft 46 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, by the action of a spring 56. Secured to the shaft 46 and arranged to cooperate with collar 49 is a correspondingly machined collar Shaft 46 is connected to a source of driving power through "a gear-52in such a manner The cam collar 49.

that it is driven continuously, but due to the arrangement of collars 49 and 5|, which constitute a clutch between shaft 46 and cam sleeve 45, the latter may be selectively rotated.

Spring 50, as previously described, tends to move collar 49 along shaft 46 and into engagement with collar 5|, but this action of spring is normally prevented, by means of a pivoted arm 53, Fig. 4, which has'a portion thereof springurged into the path of a shoulder 54 formed on Shoulder 54 is also formed with a gradual cam surface so that as the collar 49 rotates, it willcooperate with the associated portion of the stoparm 53 and cause the collar 49 to be moved along the shaft 46 against the action of spring 501 to disengage the serrated portions of the collars 49 and 5| and stop collar 49 with its associated cam sleeve 45.

Arm'53 has a horizontal portion 55 which is operatively associated with one arm of a T shaped lever'56, the depending arm of which is pointed and is -in the path of a shoulder 51 formed in a member 58, Fig. 4. The member 58 is secured to a universal bail 59 which is rotatably mounted on studs 69 suitably secured to brackets inibase l2.v A spring, one end of which is fastened to member :5'8'and the. other end secured to a'fixed spring post, .urges the member 58 to the position shownin Fig. 4, or a position in alignment'with'the: depending arm of T- lever 56.

When the universal bail 59 isoperated, which will occur'upon the depression of any of the key levers l4, member 58 will be moved to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, against the actionof its spring and the shoulder 51 willengage the pointed end of the T-shaped .lever 56 and cause stop arm 53to be movedth'rough the depression of portion55', out of. engagement'with'shoulder 54 of collar 49. Under these'conditions, spring 56 urges. collar 49 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, and the serrated portions of the collars 49 and 5| are broughtinto engagement and'power from shaft 46 is communicated thereto to rotate cam sleeve or drum 45 with its cams 44. When the cam sleeve'or 'drum'i45 approaches the end of its cycle of rotation, the cam surface preceding the shoulder. 54 is effective upon stop arm 53, which has, upon the restoration of bail'59, returned by the action of its spring to the position shown in Fig; 4, to move collar against the action of spring 53and effect the'disengagement of the serrated portion of collar 49 from that of collar Each of the selecting fingers 3U-is provided at its upper end with upwardly projecting portions 6|,.Fig. 3, having'beveled upper edges which cooperate with a beveled edgerib on a locking bail 62. The locking bail 62 is pivotally mounted on suitable uprights anda spring fi3xtends to depress the locking bail 62 and hold a .roller 64 secured to an arm integral with looking bail'62 in contact with a lug 65 on cam drum.or:sleeve'45'when the cam drum is in its arrest-ed position. Shortly after the cam drum 45 is released for rotation andthe lug 65 has been moved free of the roller '64 on the arm of lockingbail62, the looking bail under the action of its spring 63 is moved about its pivot to bring its beveled rib into cooperation with the beveled portions of projections BI and consequently lock the selecting'fingers 3|) in the position in which they were set due to the operationof the permutation bars 22-26. With such a construction, the permutation bars cannot be operated during the :cycle of rotation of cam drum 45 or until locking bail 62 is moved by lug 65 to free the beveled rib from the beveled portions of the projections 6| on the selecting fingers 30.

There is also mounted on cam drum 45 a cam 66, Fig. 1, which cooperates with and operates invariably for each cycle of rotation of cam drum 45 bell crank lever 49 to cause correspondingly the opening of its associated contact springs 42 and 43, thereby to open the connected line circuit and transmit what is referred to as a start impulse. Consequently, at the beginning of each cycle of rotation of cam drum 45, cam 66 operates its bell crank lever 40 to open contacts 42 and 43 to transmit a start impulse. Following the transmission of the start impulse, cams 44 also carried by cam drum 45, are effective successively to control the operation of the associated bell crank levers 32 in accordance with the position of the selectable fingers 38', as previously set in response to the operation of the permutation bars 22-26, inclusive.

As cam drum 45 nears the end of its cycle of rotation, stop arm 53 is effectiveto cam collar 49 against the action of its spring 50 sufficiently to effect its disengagement from collar and arrest rotation of cam drum 45.

Also mounted on cam drum 45 is a shoulder or cam 69, Fig. 1, which cooperates with a roller secured near the free end of an arm 1| pivoted to end upright and urged about its pivot by a spring secured between its free end and a fixed spring post secured to the back face of upright 35, as viewed in Fig. 1. Due to the cooperation of roller 19 with the periphery of cam 69 and particularly the recessed portion thereof, singing or chattering of the clutch comprising the collars 49 and 5| is prevented during periods of arrestment of driven portion 49 and the initial rotation of cam drum 45. Since spring 50 opposes the disengagement of collars 49 and 5|, a slight torsional bias may be required to establish and maintain a gap between the clutch portions after bare disengagement has occurred, it being understood that disengagement and separation of the clutch portions results solely from rotation of clutch throwout cam surface on shoulder 54 against the upper end of stop arm 53. Cooperation of roller 69 with the descending slope of the recess in the periphery of cam 69 provides the desired torsional bias.

Control of the initial rotation of cam drum is important because, as previously described, its cam 66 controls bell crank lever 49 to impress upon the telegraph line the start impulse, the effect of which is to set in operation the telegraph printer connected to the telegraph line.

If cam drum 45 should be permitted to be rotated far enough to initiate the start impulse before firm engagement of the clutch portions is established as, for example, by frictional engagement of the tips of the clutch teeth on collars 49 and 5|, distortion of some portion of the signal combination to be transmitted is likely to result, due to the subsequent slipping of the clutch portions into firm engagement and accompanying variation in the velocity of cam drum 45. The immediate establishment of firm engagement between the clutch portions may be assured by exerting upon the driven collar 49 a drag sufiicient to resist rotation due to frictional engagement between the teeth of collars 49 and 5|. The desired drag is furnished by engagement of roller 10 with the periphery of cam 69 and particularly with the sharp ascending slope of the recess therein which roller 10 encounters substantially immediately upon the tripping of stop arm 53 and the movement of its upper end free of shoulder 54.

The description to this point applies specifically to the operation of the apparatus in accordance with the depression of key levers l4 and the transmission of signal impulses in accordance with such depressions through the cyclic rotation of cam drum 45. The invention also embodies apparatus for the transmission of signal impulses according to perforations in a previously perforated tape which may be prepared either through the operation of a keyboard perforator or a re-perforator which responds to code combinations of signal impulses.

The perforated tape includes transverse rows of perforations arranged permutably in accordance with the prearranged code and is utilized to control permutably the setting of a plurality of pivoted fingers 13, one individual to each possible perforation appearing in a transverse row of perforated tape 14. As disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3, the fingers 13 are pivotally mounted on a shaft l5'which is supported by ears formed in vertically projecting plates 16 and 11 secured to the upper surface of base I2. Fingers 13 are normally urged in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 15 by a spring 18 (Fig. 3) which has one end secured to a depending arm I9 and its other end secured to a fixed spring support 80, there being a spring 18 individual to each of the five selecting fingers 13. Each of the fingers may be operated individually. Each of the fingers 13 also has horizontally projecting arms 8| and 82, the former of which carries near its end a pin 83 arranged to pass through an aperture 84 individual thereto formed in horzontai plate 85, which is integral with plates 16 and H, to sense the presence or absence of a perforation in tape 14 which, as will be later described, will be advanced step by step to bring its successive transverse rows of perforations in alignment with pins 83 individual to the arm 8| of each of the selecting fingers 13. Arm 82 of each of the fingers 13 lies adjacent the upper end of its selecting finger 30 which, as shown in Fig. 3, is notched at 86 to receive the free end of arm 82 of its selectable finger 13, depending upon whether its pin 83 has sensed a perforation in tape 14. For example, if pin 83 senses a perforation in tape 14, spring 18 rotates finger l3 sufficiently to bring its arm 82 in alignment with slot 88 in the upper end of its corresponding selecting finger 30 so that, as will be described in detail later, such selecting finger 30 is permitted to move about its pivot 3| sufiiciently to free its correspondig bell crank lever 32 and permit the closure of contact springs 42 and 43.

Tape 14, intermediate certain of the code perforations therein, includes feed perforations arranged to be engaged by pins mounted in the periphery of a pin feed wheel 90, Fig. 3, which is secured to a shaft 9| journaled in plates 16 and 11. As pin wheel 90 rotates, its pins engage the feed perforations in tape 14 and thereby advance the tape past thepins 83 carried by the arms 8| of selecting fingers l3. Rotation of shaft 9| and correspondingly pin wheel 90 is achieved through a ratchet wheel 92, Fig. 5, which is also secured to shaft 9|. Cooperating with the teeth of ratchet wheel 92 is a feed pawl 93 and a holding pawl 94 (Fig. 5) which is pivoted at 95 and which is urged into engagement with the periphery of ratchet wheel 92 by a spring 96 which hasoneend secured to. an arm of-i'lfoldingipawl 94 and its other end secured to. a'ispringpost mounted in the inner face of v.plate TI. Pawl 93 is rotatably securedto-gan arm 91 of a U.-shaped member 98 pivoted on shaft I5 and having an arm 99 fastened to one end of a spring I and engageable with a post Ifil tojlimit the travel of member 08 and consequently limit the movement of pawl 93.

As shownin Fig. 5, member 98 has an arm I02 positioned above plate 85. When-this arm I02 is depressed, member 88 will be rotated about its pivot shaft I in a'clock-wise direction to draw pawl 93 downwardly and thus effect the rotation of ratchet wheel 92. Due to the fact that ratchet wheel 02 is secured to shaft SI to which pin wheel 90 is alsosecured, pin wheel 90 will be advanced step by step for each operation of member 98 through operation of arm I02 to advance tape i4 correspondingly. Through such operation the tape I4 may be advanced step by step through manual operation of arm I02 and member 98.

Member 98 also has an arm I03 to which is secured a member I84 which carries at its free end a cam roller I05 arranged to cooperate with a cam I00 integral with cam drum 45. For each rotation of cam I06 and provided roller I05 is in engagement with its periphery, member I04 will be rotated to permit rotation of member 98 under the action of its spring I00, whereupon pawl 93 is retracted to a position where its hook portion engages the next succeeding tooth on ratchet wheel 92. Upon the continued rotation of cam I05, member 98 will be rotated in a clockwise direction against the action of its spring I00 and pawl 93 will be moved downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5, to rotate ratchet wheel 92 a distance equal to the distance between adjacent teeth on its periphery. For each such operation, pin wheel 90 is rotated and tape I4 advanced correspondingly. Ratchet wheel 92 is, of course, held in its advanced position due to the cooperation of holding pawl 94 with its periphery.

To facilitate insertion of tape I4 preparatory to transmission in accordance with the transverse rows of perforations therein, mechanism is provided for withdrawing stepping pawl 93 and holding pawl 04 from engagement with the periphery of ratchet wheel 92. This mechanism includes a system of levers indicated generally by the reference character IIO, Fig. 5, pivotally mounted on rod III extending between plates I6 and TI. The lever system IIO has arms H2 and H3, the former of which engages stepping pawl 93 and the-latter of which engages holding pawl 94 when the lever system H0 is rotated in a clockwise direction about rod III, as viewed in Fig. 5. Rotation of lever system IIO against the action of a spring II4, which has an end secured to an arm of lever system H0, is effected by an arm H5 provided with a portion H6 which normally lies substantially in an oblique plane. When portion H6 is manually depressed. arms H2 and H3 are rotated clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 5, to remove stepping pawl 93 and holding pawl 94 from engagement with ratchet wheel 82. Under'such circumstances pin wheel 00 is free to rotate so that the tape I4 may be freely inserted to bring the first transverse row of perforations in alignment with the pins 83 of the selectable fingers 13.

To further facilitate insertion of tape I4 for transmission, a plate IIB of suitable transparent material is secured to the uppersurface of plate and hasits left-hand'end, as viewed in Fig. 3, curved to conform substantially with the curvature of a metal plate II9 secured also to plate 85 to direct the course of the tape I4 as it passes from the sensing position. Plate 85 has a portionof its upper surface recessed slightly to form a groove to receive tape I4. By securing plate II8 to the upper surface of plate 85, a channel is provided for the tape.

By having plate IIB of transparent material, an operator in inserting the tape, can observe exactly how far the tape should be inserted to bring the first transverse row of perforations in alignment with the pins 83 for the purpose of sensing and the transmission of corresponding signal impulses. With plate II8 made from opaque material, theoperator is unable to determine the exact position of insertion of tape I4 and consequently the tape is inserted to a position where the first transverse row "of perforations is to the right, as viewed in Fig. 3, of the pins 83. It therefore becomes necessary to advance the tape step by step until the first transverse row of perforations is in a sensing position, when signal transmission will be commenced. However, during such preliminary advancement of the tape, the cam drum 45 will be rotating and a blank signal for eachcycle of rotation will be transmitted until the first transverse row of perforations in tape I4 is brought to a sensing position. Such an arrangement results in an appreciable loss of line time. With the plate II8 of transparent material, the operator can locate the first transverse row of perforations in a sensing position when transmission may be initiated without any loss of line time and without the transmission of any blank signals.

As disclosed in Fig. 1, plate H8 is cut away as indicated by the numeral I20 to receive a finger of the operator and thus further facilitate insertion of tape I4 when pin wheel will be rotated freely.

When the apparatus is being used for direct keyboard transmission, it is necessary to rotate selectable fingers I3 against the tension of their springs I8 sufficiently to move the free end of arm 82 out of the-path of the upper end of its selecting finger 30. correspondingly, when the apparatus isto be used for transmitting signals from a perforated tape such as I4, it is necessary to condition the apparatus for such operation and to preclude the operation of the key levers I4. Also, because the same cam drum 45 which transmits the signal impulses in accordance with the operation of the key lever I4 and the setting of the permutation bars is utilized for the transmission of impulses in accordance with the transverse rows of perforations-in tape I4, it'is necessary .to'selectively control-the starting and stopping of the cam drum 45 when a change is effected from one type of operation to the other type of operation. To accomplish these results, the invention embodies certain mechanisms which will-now be described.

Each of the permutation bars 22 to 26, inclusive, is notched nearits right-hand end, as viewed in Figs. 3 and 5, to receive the ball end of a lever I 25 pivoted on a rod I26 extending between plates IB and I1 and fastened to one end of a spring I2! which has its other end, as shown in Fig. 3, loosely secured to a bail I28 pivotally mounted on pivot pins I30 fastened to plates I6 and IT. For direct keyboard operation, levers I25, there beingsuch a lever individual to each of the permutation bars-2226-,are in-the position shown in Figs. 3 and 5, wherein spring I2I, due to the loose connection of its end with bail I28, does not subject the permutation bars 22-26 to any additional load when the key levers I4 are depressed. When in such position, the permutation bars 22-26 may be operated freely since member I44, as later described, i held depressed by lever I32.

Secured to bail I28 is one end of a link I3I which has its other end secured to a lever I32 also pivoted on rod I26. As shown in Fig. 3, link I3I has a curved portion to clear an eccentric I33 mounted on shaft III journaled as previously described in plates I6 and II, which also constitutes a pivot shaft for lever system I I8. Secured to the forward end of shaft II I is a collar I34 provided with an arm I35, ,Fig. 1, a cam Surface and a shoulder I3I, Figs. 1

-and 2. Also secured to shaft III is a finger I38 engageable with pins I39 and I48 mounted on the outer face of plate I6 to limit the rotation of shaft III and correspondingly collar I34.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, lever I32 has a horizontal bail portion I42 and an arm I43. Bail I42 cooperates with each of the arms I9 of the selectable fingers I3 to rotate, under certain conditions, the selectable fingers I3 against the action of their spring I8 to move their arms 82 free of the upper end of selectable fingers 38. Arm I43 of lever I32 cooperates with the surface of inclined member I44 integral with a U-shaped bail I45 pivoted on rod 33 and having extensions I46 to which one end of springs I4I are secured, the other end being secured to a fixed spring support on guide comb 39 to hold cam rollers I48,

' I3I to move the link either to the right or left,

as viewed in Fig. 3. When moved to the left due to the clockwise rotation of eccentric I33, as viewed in Fig. 3, lever I32 is rotated about its pivot I26 to move selectable fingers I3to a position where pins 83 are below plate 85 and arm 82 is free of the upper end of it selectable finger 38 and bail I45 is rotated against the action of its spring I41 to remove roller I48 from engagement with cam I49 and allow selecting fingers 38 to follow the movement of permutation bars r 2226. Movement of link I3I to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, also rotates bail I28 about its pivots in a clockwise direction and frees springs I2! of tension, so that the permutation bars 22-26 are relieved of any efiect of springs I2I.

When eccentric I33 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed-in Fig. 3, through rotation of collar I34 upon the operation of arm I35, link I3I will be moved to the right, rotating bail I28 in a counterclockwise direction and, through springs I2! and levers I25, move permutation bars 22-26 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 3, or to the all-marking position. The specified movement of link I3I causes lever I32 to be rotated in a clockwise direction to move bail I42 free of arm I9 of'each of the selectable fingers I3 to move arm I 43 out of engagement with projection I44 of bail I45 to allow spring I41 to rotate bail, I45 to bring roller I48 into engagement with cam I49 and move the arm 82 of each of the selectable fingers I3 to a position above the slot 86 in each of the selecting fingers 38, because when bail I42 was rotated in a clockwise direction, the spring I8 individual to selectable fingers I3 rotated the fingers to a position where arm 92 was in alignment with its corresponding slot 86 in the selecting finger 38. Due to the rotation of lever I 32, anextension of arm I43 engages a surface of locking bail 62 to rotate the bail against the action of its spring 63 to remove its beveled rib free of the beveled ends 6| of selecting fingers 38 and roller 64 free of lug 65.

The apparatus, when used for direct keyboard operation, is arranged such that the permutation bars 2226 remain in their set position until a change is occasioned through the depression of another key lever I4. Consequently, the selecting fingers 38 remain in their set position, either marking or spacing position. When eccentric I33 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, to permit elevation of bail I45, the bail engages surface I58 near the upper end of each of the selecting fingers 38 and cams each of the selecting fingers counterclockwise to a position where its hook 38 lies in the path of the horizontal arm of its associated bell crank lever 32, in which position the contacts 42 and 43 are maintained open, except for the contacts individual to bell crank lever 48, which is controlled by cam 66.

When conditioning the apparatus for tape operation, it is essential that the key levers I4 be locked against operation. To achieve this result, bar 2I is movable to the left against the tension of a spring I5I, which has one end secured to a projection on the lower edge of bar 2I and the other end secured to a fixed spring post on base I2, upon movement of a lever I52 which has one end in engagement with the right-hand end of bar 2I and the other end engageable by a cam I36 formed in collar I34. When collar I34 is rotated to condition the apparatus for tape operation, cam I36 engages the upper arm of lever I52 to rotate the lever clockwise about its pivot and move bar 2I against the action of its spring I5I to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, whereupon a projection on the upper edge of bar 2I is moved into the path of each of the key levers I4. Under such conditions, none of the key levers I4 can be depressed, which insures against operation of the key levers I4 during tape transmission, for if a key lever I4 was depressed during tape transmission and provided the code bars 22-26 are operated, the signals intended to be transmitted in accordance with the perforations in the tape I4 would be mutilated.

With the apparatus in the position just described, operation from the perforated tape I4 may be initiated. Initiation of tape operation is effected through the withdrawal of stop arm 53 from the path of shoulder 54 of collar 49 to permit spring 58 to move collar 49 into engagement with collar 5|, which rotates continuously. To achieve this result, T-shaped lever 56 is arranged to be operated by rod I53, which is slidably mounted in suitable supports and which carries near its forward end, as viewed in Fig. 1, adjustable nuts I54 engageable by a projection I55 formed in the vertical edge of bar I56 which is pivoted on a shoulder screw l5! secured to the upper face of base I2 and which is rotatable by a lever I58. Lever I58 has two positions, identified as a stop position and a start position. When in its stop position, projection I55 of bar I56 allows a spring I68 (Fig. 2), which has one end secured to a spring post and the other end secured to an arm I6I (Fig. 4), pivoted on a rod I 62 having a vertically extending arm I63, to move through arm I63 and nuts I54, rod I53 to a position where it is out of engagement with T-lever56. When lever I58 is rotated to .its start position, bar I56, through its projection I55, moves rod I53 forward, as viewed in Fig, 1, against the tension of spring I66, whereupon T-lever 56 is operated to move stop arm 53 out of the path of lug 54 formed on collar 49 to permit spring 50 tomove collar 49 into engagement with continuously rotating collar Bar I56 is held in its twopositions by a detent bar I64 which is mounted on the upper surface of base I2.

The free .end of bar I56 .is adapted to engage shoulder I3I formed in the periphery of collar I34 when lever I 58 is in its start position, whereing cam drum 45 rotates continuously. When bar I56 is so positioned, arm I35 and collar I34 cannot be rotated to change the apparatusfrom tape operation to direct keyboard operation. Consequently, in'order to permit a change-from tape operation'to direct keyboard operation, it is necessary to rotate lever I58 to its stop position wherein rod I56 will be restored by spring I56 to a position out of engagement withT-lever 56, whereupon stoparm 53 is rotated about its pivot to a position whereits upper end lies in the path of stop lug 54 to move collar 49 out of engagement withcollar 5I at the completion of a signaling cycle.

When lever I53 is rotated to its start position, cam drum '45 rotates continuously. For each cycle of rotation of cam drum'45, cam 65 operates bell crank lever 40 to operate its contact springs 42 and 43 'to transmit to the connected line a start impulse, and cams I49 and I63,

through rollers I48, permit and operate bail I45.

During the stopimpulse, bail I45is moved by its spring I4Ito a-position where the-selecting fingers 36 are moved 'to a position where their hook 38lies in the path of the horizontal arm of'bell crank lever 32 and arm 82 of selectable fingers I3 is'in alignment with the upper end of its corresponding selecting finger 35. As cam I49 rotates, and during the transmission of the start impulse, bail I45is moved downwardly to permit rotation of selecting fingers I3 by the action of their spring I8 to a position where the pins '83 sense the respective'signal areas of tape I4. In the up position of bail I45, arm 82 of sensing fingers I3 are in line with associated projections on lock levers 36, while in the down position of bail I45, arm 82 of fingers "I3are in line with notch 86 in lever 36 unless finger I3 is blocked by blank tape. If a pin 83 encounters an unperforated area in tape I4, rotation of its selectable finger I3 is limited. However, if a pin-83 passes through a perforation in tape I4, its selectable finger I3 by its spring I8 is rotated about pivot 15 to position its arm 82 in alignment with slot 86 formed in the upper end of its corresponding selecting finger 36. In its other position or the position wherein pin 63 encounters an unperforated area of tape 14, arm 82 lies in the path of the upper end of its corresponding selecting finger 36.

As bail I45 continues its downward movement and before the end of the start impulse, selecting fingers 39 are free to be moved by their individual spring I21, as determined by the position of arm 82 of its selectable finger I3. If arm 82 is in'alignment'with notchtfi, then its corresponding selecting finger 30, by the action of its spring I21, is moved to a position where hook 38 is free of the horizontal arm of its correspondingbell crank lever 32. Now, as its corresponding cam 44 becomes effective, contact springs 42 and 43 projection I38 contacts stop lug I39.

will .closefor the transmission to the connected line circuit of a corresponding impulse. However, if arm 62 is held in its upper position, its end engages the upper end of its corresponding selecting finger 36 and does not .permit movement of its selecting finger .35 sufficiently to free hook 33 from the horizontal arm of bell crank lever 32. Consequently, its corresponding contact springs 42 and 43 will not be closed when the recess of its cam 44 is aligned with the lug of its bell crank 32.

For each rotation of cam drum 45, cam I06 rotates arm I64 through roller I65 to move stepping pawl-93 to engagethe next succeeding tooth, Fig. 5, and rotate ratchet wheel 92 a distance equal to the space between adjacent teeth and correspondingly rotate shaft SI and pin wheel 'to advance tape I4 to present the next transverse row of perforations in'alignment with pins 83. Such advancement, however, does not occur until bail I45 has been; moved to its extreme uppermost position by the action of spring I41 as permitted .by cam I49, wherein pin 83 of each of the selectablefingers I3 is positioned free of tape I4, as shown in Fig. 3.

If it is desired to'advance the tape I4 step by stepunder manual control, lever I58is operated to its stop position wherein arm 53'will be positioned in alignment with stop lug 54 on collar 49. Through the operation of arm I63, ro'd I53 is moved to rotate T-lever 56 to move stop arm 53 free of stop lug-54. If arm I63 is held in such position, cam drum 45 will rotate continuously and transmission will continue from perforated tape I4. However, if it is restored immediately after its'operati'on, cam drum 45 will makebut a single cycle. Such operation can, of course, be continued by the momentary operation of arm I63. Inthis way thetape I4" may be advanced ,slowly' to bring a particular area in alignment with the sensing-pins I33 and its exact position determined due to the transparent plate H8.

311, when the-arm I35 is in the tapeposition and the lever I58 is'in the start position it is desired to change from tape operation to direct keyboard operation, lever I58 first must be rotated to its stop position wherein the free end ofbarI'o'Sis movedfree of shoulder I31 of collar I34, when collar I34, through arm I35, may be rotated to its direct keyboard position, wherein Selecting fingers I3 are 'now in a position where pins 83 are'below plate 85, and stepping pawl 93 is held against movement 'even though cam I06 rotates for each key'lever depression. Key levers I4 are free for operation because lever I52 is free to be moved to the position shown in Fig. 2 by the action of spring I5I which moves bar 2I to a position where its projections lie out of the path of key levers I4.

The keyboard transmitter and the tape transmitter previously described are assoicated with and operatively connected to a receiving printer indicated generally by the reference character I!!! which may be of the type and form disclosed in copending application Serial No. 77,796 of Albert E. Reiber and copending application Serial'No. 204,038 of Carl A. Levin, wherein description will be found of apparatus for performing selective functions. Included with such functions is the function of operating a pair of contacts which serve, when closed, to short circuit contact springs 42 and 43 and thus preclude the transmission of signal impulses to the connected line circuit upon the rotation of cam drum 45.

Closure of the specified contacts is under the control of what is usually referred to as a function bar; that is. a bar which is selected upon the perin'iited setting of the permutation bars for performing a particular function.

As disclosed in the ctied copending applications there are a plurality of function bars. Corresponding function bars are indicated in the present specification generally by the reference character I1I, which embody a particular function bar I12. The function bars I1I respond to a particular setting of the code discs of the receiving printer disclosed in the cited copending applications and. when selected. function to perform its particular operation.

A function lever I13 pivoted at I14 is biased in clockwise direction by a tension spring I15 and normally occupies the solid line position shown in Fig. l. Lever I13 has a contact operating extension which cooperates with a pair of electrical contacts I16 which are normally open but which, when closed. establish a short circuit for contacts 42 and 43 of the transmitter. When contacts I16 are closed, transmission of impulses to the connected line circuit is precluded.

Rocking of lever I13 to its extreme counterclockwise position is accomplished by function bar I12 which has its free end arranged to cooperate with a latch lug I11 on function bar I13. When function lever I12 is selected and operated, it will be held in such position by latching lug I11. Function lever I13 falls in against the left-hand side of function bar I12 and holds it from returning to its extreme clockwise position at the end of the function testing operation. as fully described in the aforementioned copending applications. Upon the rearward reciprocation of function bar I12, lever I13 will be rotated to the dotted line position shown in Fig. l and thus cause the closure of contacts I16 and the establishment of a short circuit for contacts 42 and 43.

A bracket I18 suitably secured to a bracket mounted On the base I2 supports a latch lever I19 which is biased in counterclockwise direction by tension spring I80. At its right-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 4, lever I19 is step-cut to provide a shoulder for engaging lever I13 near its righthand end, as viewed in Fig. l, to block the return of lever I13 and thus the opening of contacts I16.

At the left-hand end, as viewed in Fig. 4, lever I19 has a portion I8I sloping obliquely downwardly. In the previous description the key levers of the keyboard transmitted were indicated by the reference character I4. A particular key lever which initiates the generation of a signal combination that will be hereinafter specifically identified. is indicated in Fig. 4 by reference numeral I82 which, like the key levers I4, is pivoted on pivot rod I5. Key lever I82 has secured thereto adjacent to the point at which it is pivotally mounted a clamp I 83 which includes reverted fingers I84 fitted over one edge of key lever I 82 and clamping screw I85 engaging the other edge of the same key lever and drawing reverted fingers I84 firmly into engagement with the first-mentioned edge. Clamp I83 has secured thereto or integral therewith an arm I89 which extends rearwardly of base I2 and arm I86 has a vertically directed portion I81 which emerges from base I2 to an aperture at the rear thereof and terminates beneath lever I19 adjacent to the downwardly sloping portion I8I thereof.

When transmitter shunting contacts I16 are closed, lever I13 is latched in its extreme counterclockwise position. When lever I13 is in this position, its left-hand end. as viewed in Fig. 4. rocks downwardly into a position of substantial engagement with the upper end of frame I81 of clamp I83.

When it is desired to unlatch function lever I13, key lever I82 is depressed. This causes arm I81 of clamp I83 to be rocked in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. whereupon downwardly sloping portion I8I of lever I13 is cammed upwardly sufficiently to disengage the shoulder formed in the right-hand end of lever I19 from lever I13 and allow the latter lever to be restored to its solid line position by the action of spring I15.

Although the clamp I83 may be secured to any of the key levers I4. it has been found particularly satisfactory to secure it to the key lever which initiates the generation of the unshift or letters signal combination. According to a widely used system of printing telegraph signal transmission, each signal combination representing a character or a function consists of a permutation code combination of marking and spacing impulses preceded by a start impulse and followed by a stop impulse. In the rest condition of the transmitting apparatus, contacts 42 and 43 identified with bell crank lever 40 operated by cam 66 are closed and represent the stop con dition. When the transmitter is operated, these contacts are open, thereby creating a spacing condition of the line which is indicative of the start impulse. The impulses for the particular signal combination are then generated successively and after the last code impulse has been generated the stop impulse contacts 42 and 43 are closed. whereupon the stop impulse is impressed upon the line. The startimpulse sets in operation the receiving selector mechanism of printing telegraph receiving unit corresponding to I10 connected to the line, and the stop impulse of marking nature arrests the receiving selector mechanism.

When contacts I16 are closed and function lever I13 is latched, a closed line condition is established so that even though the cam drum 45 rotates, impulses will not be applied to the line. When key lever I82 is operated, it will release the cam drum 45 for a. cycle of operation. Until contact springs I16 are opened, the code impulses will not be applied to the line but after the contacts are opened, the impulses will be transmitted. The apparatus is then in a condition for transmission of impulses either from the keyboard transmitter or from the tape transmitter.

Secured to the upper surface of base I2 is a bracket I88 in which there is pivotally mounted a U-shaped member provided with arms I89 and I90 to the former of which is secured arod I9I adjustable in length by means of an adjusting nut and having its lower end, as viewed in Fig. 4, looped to engage the loop in rod I53 which, as previously described, serves to operate, under certain conditions, T-shaped lever 56 and to remove stop arm 53 from the path of stop lug 54 and cause the rotation of cam drum 45. To arm I90 there is adjustably attached at its free end members I92 and I93 which extend obliquely upwardly and substantially vertically, respectively. Arm I92 lies beneath lever I19 and is adjusted to engage sloping portion I8I of lever I19 upon the operation of its arin I90, which results upon the movement of rod I'9l through rod I53 which may be operated by lever I58 and arm I63.

When the apparatus is being operated for the transmission of a message from perforated tape 14 and should the operator at the distant receiving printer desire to reverse the direction of transmission. such operator operates what is customarily referred to as the send-receive break key. Operation of the send-receive break key transmits signal combinations for the operation of function lever II3 to preclude further transmission from the receiving printer with which the contacts II6 are associated. When the function bar I12 is operated to operate function lever I13, a projection thereon engages the upper end of member I93 to rock arms I89 and ISO in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4. If the transmitting apparatus is positioned for tape transmission, rod I53 will be in its extreme lefthand position, as viewed in Fig. 4, and stop arm 53 will be held free of stop lug 54 and cam drum 45 will be rotated continuously. When arm I89 is rocked clockwise, as just described, rod I53, through rod I9I, will be moved to the right, as viewed in Fig. 4, whereupon lever I58 will be rocked about its pivot from the start to the stop position and T-lever 56 will be restored to its normal position to permit stop arm 53 to be moved to a position where its upper end lies in the path of stop lug 54. When engagement between stop arm 53 and stop lug 54 occurs, collar 49 will be moved along shaft 46 out of engagement with collar '5I and cam drum 45 will be arrested.

When the apparatus is in the condition just described, the operator who operated the sendreceive break key may transmit a message to the receiving printer wherein its transmitter was previously being operated for the transmission of a message. Conditioning of the apparatus for resumption of transmission may be accomplished through the depression of key lever I82 if transmission was from the keyboard, or by rocking lever I58 if transmission was from tape I4.

Cessation of transmission from selectable finers I3 occurs after the last transverse row of code perforations in tape I4 has been presented to the pins on the arm 8| of selectable fingers I3. This condition is evidenced by or indicative of the blank or'all-spacing signal. dition there will be obstruction to the movement of all of the selectable fingers I3. An all-blank signal will be transmitted. The receiving printer will respond to such signal in the manner identical with that previously described for the transmission of the send-receive-break signal, except that its operation will be evidenced locally rather than from a distant point.

In response to the all-spacing signal, the selector mechanism of the receiving printer is set to select function bar I12 and through it the operation of function bar I13. Lever I89 is thus operated and through its operation rod I9I is moved backward, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereupon rod I53 is correspondingly actuated to permit stop arm 53 to rotate about its pivot to bring its upper free end in the path of stop lug 54 on collar 49. As previously described, the cooperation between the recited arm of stop arm 53 with stop lug 54 causes disengagement between collars 49 and 5| and the arrestment of cam drum 45. Upon the arrestment of cam drum 45, further signals will not be transmitted unless additional tape is inserted in the tape transmitter or the apparatus is conditioned for For such a conkeyboard transmission and the key levers I! subsequently operated.

The space bar connected to levers I8 ma also be operated to move rod I53 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 4, and effect continuous rotation of cam drum 45. Under such circumstances the signal combination identified with the space bar will be transmitted continuously.

Reference is made to copending application of R. A. Lake, Serial No. 303,516. filed November 9, 1939, which discloses a structure similar to the structure disclosed herein and which includes claims directed to those features of the structure which resulted from the sole efforts of the applicant R. A. Lake.

While the apparatus has been disclosed as applied to a particular type of apparatus, it is manifest that the invention is not limited to such specific apparatus but may be embodied in other forms of apparatus without departing from its spirit.

What is claimed is:

l. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements controlled by said permutation bars to control the operation of said contacts, means for sensing signal indicia in a strip, means controlled by said sensing means for controlling permutably the operation of said contacts, means for selectively controlling the effectiveness of said sensing means on said controlled means, and means for positioning said permutation bars in an all-spacing position preparatory to transmission from said strip.

2. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements controlled by said permutation bars to control the operation of said contacts, a rotary cam drum for operating said contacts successively in accordance with the setting of said elements, means for arresting said cam drum in normal position, means for sensing signal indicia in a strip, means controlled by said sensing means for controlling permutably the operation of said contacts, means for selectively controlling the effectiveness of said sensing means on said control means and for positioning said permutation bars in an all-spacing position preparatory to transmission from said strip, and means operative prior to the transmission from said strip for operating said arresting means whereby said cam drum rotates continuously.

3. In a telegraph transmitter, a set of transmitting contacts, a corresponding set of controllers therefor, a rotary cam operable to operate said controllers in succession, selective devices for modifying the operation of said controllers including key lever controlled elements and strip controlled elements, means for arresting said cam in normal position, means for rendering said key lever and strip controlled elements effective on said controllers, and means operated upon the operation of said last mentioned means to operate said arresting means whereby said cam rotates continuously during transmission from said strip.

4. In a telegraph transmitter, a set of transmitting contacts, a corresponding set of controllers therefor, a rotary cam operable to operate said controllers in succession, selective devices for modifying the operation of said controllers including key lever controlled elements and strip controlled elements, means for arresting said cam in normal position, means for rendering said key lever and strip controlled elements effective on said controllers, means operated mechanically to control the actuation of cam arresting means, and means operated by the operation of said means for rendering the strip controlled elements efiective on said controllers to position all of said key lever controlled elements in a spacing position.

5. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements set by said commutation bars to control the operation of said contacts, means for sensing the perforations in a tape, means controlled by said means for determining the operation of said elements, and means for selectively moving said last mentioned means free of and out of operative relation with said elements when said key levers are to be operated.

6. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements set by said permutation bars to control the operation of said contacts, means for sensing the perforations in a tape, means controlled by said means for determining the operation of said elements, and means for rendering said last mentioned means efiective on said elements and for moving said permutation bars to an all-spacing position preparatory to tape transmission.

'7. In a telegraph transmitter, a set of transmitting contacts, a corresponding set of controllers therefor, a rotary cam drum operable to operate said controllers in succession, selective devices for modifying the operation of said controllers including key lever controlled elements and strip controlled elements, means controlling the rotation of said cam drum, means for rendering lers therefor, a rotary cam drum operable to operate said controllers in succession, selective devices for modifying the operation of said controllers including key lever controlled elements and strip controlled elements, means controlling the rotation of said cam drum, means for rendering said key lever and strip controlled elements selectively eiTective on said controllers, means including a ratchet wheel, stepping, and holding pawls for advancing the strip step by step, means on said cam drum for operating said stepping pawl cyclically, and means for withdrawing said stepping and holding pawls from said ratchet wheel whereby the strip may be inserted for transmission.

9. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements controlled by said permutation bars to control operation of said contacts, a rotary cam drum for operating said contacts successively in accordance with said elements, means for arresting the cam drum in normal position, means for sensing signal indicia in a strip, means controlled by said sensing means for controlling permutably the operation of said contacts, means for selectively rendering either said permutation bars or said sensing means effective on said contacts, and means operated through rendering said sensing means efiective to operate said cam drum releasing means whereby said drum rotates continuously for transmission from said strip.

10. A telegraph transmitter including a plurality of contacts, permutation bars, key levers for operating said permutation bars in varying combinations, elements controlled by said permutation bars to control operation of said contacts, a rotary cam drum for operating said contacts successively in accordance with said elements, means for arresting'the cam drum in normal position, means for sensing signal indicia in a strip, means controlled by said sensing means for controlling permutably the operation of said contacts, means for selectively rendering either said permutation bars or said sensing means effective on said contacts, and means operated independently of said strip for actuating said cam drum releasing means whereby said drum rotates continuously for transmission from said strip.

ALBERT H. REIBER. 

